When You Were Mine (Second Chances 2)

Out of breath, gun pointed to the ground in the universal “I’m no longer playing this game” signal, she grabbed a diet coke from cooler on the back deck. Popping it open, she took a sip and then stepped quickly out of the way when Patty ran past her, screeching.

Seconds later, Jamie rounded the corner and opened fire, drenching her with the Water Blaster 5000 he held aloft.

“Oh shit,” Jamie said. It was clear that he was trying not to laugh when he added, “I’m so sorry, baby. I thought Patty ran this way.”

Cora set her drink down and made a show of blinking her eyes and reaching for a towel. She wandered closer to the edge of the pool and grabbed one off of the lounge chair and waited for Jamie to approach.

She continued to wipe at her face and said, “You got water in my nose.”

More contrite now, he said, “Cora. I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to do that.”

Setting the towel down, she complained. “I just need a minute to dry out. I’ll be fine.”

Luckily she had the foresight to put a bikini under her clothes. She wrung the water out of her shirt and set it on the chair behind her, then dried off with the towel some more. A minute later, she stood up and wrapped the towel around her shoulders.

Jamie hovered next to her nervously and asked, “Feel any better now?”

She gave him a mighty shove and then watched as he fell backward into the deep end of the pool. When he sputtered to the surface, she said, “Much better now.”

Several of his family members hooted and hollered as he began to slowly tread water. He laughed, blinked water from his eyes, and said, “I guess I earned that, huh?”

“Just a little bit,” she said, stripping off the cut-off shorts she wore. She was hopelessly soaked now, so she may as well join him.

Seconds later she cannonballed into the open space next to him and shot back to the surface. She let out a small squeak of surprise when his arms slipped around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Before she could do anything more than wrap her arms around his neck, he brought his lips down on hers and kissed her to within an inch of her life, audience be damned.

Cora was capable of nothing beyond relaxing into him and kissing him back until she heard Jane’s voice at the edge of the pool deck.

“Jamison Anthony. You let that poor girl breathe. There are children present!”

Immediately he pulled back and said, “I really didn’t mean to spray you, baby. Now I’m glad I did, though.”

Cora grinned and swam backwards and out of his arms. Laughing, she said, “You better not get too close. Your mom just used your full name!”

Jamie reached out and snagged one of the pool noodles, and grinning, said, “Come float with me. I’m willing to risk it.”

When dinner was over, Cora was pleasantly full of brisket sandwich and macaroni salad. She and Jamie lay together on one of the deck chairs, talking with most of the adults while the children played in the pool.

Taryn had changed into a swimsuit and floated along in the water, playing with Sophie, who happily splashed along in her water wings. She had been on restricted duty since she’d started having contractions the other morning at work, so she had been dying to move a little.

Everyone else was either sprawled out in a chair or sitting with their feet in the pool. When there was a lull in conversation, Jamie shared his news about the Shinobi deal. Even those in the group who didn’t play computer games knew it was a big deal.

Naturally this led to several bottles of wine being consumed, and tons of congratulations. Jamie hadn’t really discussed how quickly the campaign would start or how time consuming it would be. Cora assumed that things between them would be a little hectic for a while.

By ten o’clock, Cora was beginning to feel drowsy. She wasn’t exactly tired, but she was incredibly relaxed. Christine, Bruce, and her heathens had already gone home with Maureen in tow. Donnie and Patty were making their way toward the door. Taryn had already gone upstairs to lie down.

Jamie asked her, “You about ready to go to sleep? I’m nodding off here.”

Cora laughed and said, “I’ve been fighting to keep my eyes open for the last twenty minutes.”

“Thank God,” Jane said, as she walked back through the sliding glass door. “I’m getting to old for all of this.”

Muscles still lax, Cora had to force herself off the lounge chair. “As always,” she said. “It was amazing. Thank you, Jane. Glad we’re staying here tonight.”

Jamie nodded as he stretched and said, “Yeah, Mom. Everything was great. Thanks for having us.”

“Anytime,” Jane said, smirking. “Just glad you two finally got your heads out of your asses.”

“Thanks,” Cora said, drily.